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Troopers deliver cheer to sick kids in Alexandria

Katherine Tademy, who is holding 2-month old granddaughter Sommer Rae Coty, thanks Louisiana State Troop E Trooper Aaron P. Raines after he and other Troop E troopers and family members delivered gifts to Sommer's room at Rapides Women's and Children's Hospital.(Photo: Melinda Martinez/mmartinez@thetowntalk.com)

Aaron Raines might have been gazing at a future Louisiana State Police trooper Wednesday at Rapides Women's and Children's Hospital.

Raines, his fellow troopers and their family members delivered gifts to children at hospitals in Alexandria and other spots in the Troop E region on Christmas Eve, the 14th year for Christmas with a Trooper. When Raines stood at the foot of a bed — tall in his dark blue uniform and hat — 2-month-old Sommer Rae Coty was transfixed. Her gaze didn't waver until Raines left the room.

Left behind were a doll and a few other toys for the girl, hospitalized on Tuesday night with an ear infection, and her grandmother, Katherine Tademy. She was holding her granddaughter while the baby's mother left the hospital to pick up her 5-year-old brother.

"He loves his little sister," she said.

Tademy wasn't sure when the family would be going home, but said they wanted to stay until Sommer was healthy. "This is my pride and joy," she said. "I never get tired, never get tired of my grandkids."

A few rooms away, Emmy Fusilier wiped tears away after the entourage visited her 1-year-old son, Cohen Fusilier. She said she was told that someone wanted to come in to give her son a gift. She was overwhelmed when troopers, children, Frosty the Snowman and Rudolph the Red-Nosed Reindeer walked in.

One-year-old Cohen Fusilier (far left), a patient at Rapides Women's and Children's Hospital, and his mother, Emmy Fusilier, receive gifts from Louisiana State Police Troop E troopers and family members Wednesday. Grace Higgins (far right), Jillian Covington (second from right), Reagan Webb, Aaron P. Raines and Trish Raines were among the troopers and family members delivering gifts to young patients at area hospitals.(Photo: Melinda Martinez/mmartinez@thetowntalk.com)

Toys soon were piled on the bed where she and her son sat. Cohen, suffering from respiratory syncytial virus (RSV), took a deep breath before looking at Frosty and Rudolph to say hello. Then his gaze narrowed, and he stared at the pair before coughing.

"Thank y'all so much. Don't take pictures if I cry," chuckled Emmy Fusilier.

She said Cohen should be discharged from the hospital on Christmas Eve, in time to join his siblings at home in Alexandria. While she talked to people in the room, Cohen started banging on a Baby DJ Music Maker.

Cohen protested a bit when his mom pulled him onto her lap to pose for some photos with the troopers, but he calmed down after being handed a Spider-Man doll.

"You people are awesome," said Emmy Fusilier as the group left.

Ethan Bruner, 7, was just about to eat his breakfast when troopers came into his room. He looked around the room at them all, tethered to his IV. Judd Barton started handing toys to Ethan and soon, one side of the couch he sat on was covered. His mother, Melendie Woodson, watched from the bed. Ethan has three older brothers, she said.

Judd Barton (right) delivers gifts to patient Ethan Bruner, 7, at Rapides Women's and Children's Hospital. Louisiana State Troop E troopers and family members delivered gifts to young patients at area hospitals on Christmas Eve.(Photo: Melinda Martinez/mmartinez@thetowntalk.com)

"He's good at sharing, though," she said.

Trooper Thurman Miller said the toys were donated by a few groups — Cub Scout Pack 94 in Moreauville, Rosepine Elementary School 4-H, the Buckeye High and Junior High schools Beta Clubs and Pilgrim's Pride in Natchitoches. He also said toys were dropped off at Troop E headquarters by individual donors who wanted to be anonymous.